FOOTHILLS
CHATTER
Rotary Club of High River
Box 5152, High River, AB T1V 1M4
Bulletin #4, November 16, 2004
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Nov 18: Slide Show - Inbound Exchange
Student Baptiste - Partner's Night
Nov 25: Elections - to be held at Memorial Centre
Dec. 02: - returned short
term exchange students presentations
Dec. 09: - open
Dec. 16: - Children's Christmas Party *if you know a Rotarian widow who
would like to attend, please extend an invitation
Dec. 23: - vocational talks
Dec. 30: - open
Jan. 06: - Foothills Foundation presentation
Jan. 13: - Dave Shorten, Area CEO CRHA meeting at hospital
Jan. 19: - presentation on Alberta First
Jan. 17: - open
*all meetings subject to slight changes
RECENT MEETINGS:
Oct 7: Our happy gang,
including many partners, gathered in the "Big Room" at the MC.
Items of interest: (i) Jim Ross
advised his art show raised $6000 for the food bank; (ii)
Irv informed us Baptiste made the top 10 in HR Flyers tryouts; (iii)
Duncan provided a short update on Lee and Rachel, all is well.
Nina, our exchange student from Switzerland, provided an extremely interesting
slide show and commentary. She speaks all four official languages of
Switzerland; Italian, spoken mostly in the South; German, from the middle;
French, the northwest; and Romanch, the north mountains. Nina is from Eich, a
small village near Lake Sempa; in the canton of Lucerne. Her mother Ruth is a
pharmacist, father Peter a service technician, and brother Claudio a sports
minded student. Switzerland has a population of seven million, the capital is
Bern, city of the bears. Switzerland is famous for watches, banks, cheese and
chocolate. When Nina left her parents replaced her with a cat, Garfield. Great
presentation, Nina, welcome!
Oct 14: This meeting comprised a budget
review, vocational talks by three new members and congratulations to the
Schuellers on 41 years of wedded bliss (and fishing trips). The budget was
passed unanimously after some curiosity on rooster books and signage.
Vocational talks were provided by Ray Fenton, Ralph Nelson and Bob
Cole.
Ray Fenton: Grew up in Grande Prairie,
worked seismic, roughneck , Calgary Fire Dept. U of A Agriculture
' 64, married
Margaret Giles, Vet College Saskatoon '66. Worked as a vet in Ontario 10 years,
300 caesarian sections (cows) '74. In 1980 sold practice, went to work for
Alberta Agriculture (Edmonton).In2001 went to Great Britain for two years,
Cornwall/St Ives, much foot and mouth as well as BSE. Talked horses with
Princess Anne. Back to Canada '03, Alberta Gov't Farm Animal Consultant. Three
sons, in Okotoks, Crossfields and Korea. Welcome, Ray!
Ralph Nelson "was born here, married
a girl from here, and will likely die here". In between, he was an
outrider, as was his brother, his father drove chucks, and was a Rotarian. Ralph
also wrestled steers, and set a record in "81 that still stands. He married
Jacqueline Denny, children and most family are Albertans. Ralph has been
involved in Alliance politics, VP Ag Society, Chair RM Forestry Assoc., Chair MD
Env. He is particularly interested in International work with Rotary. Welcome,
Ralph!
Bob Cole: Bob has had Rotary connections
for many years, via the Marshalls, Ted Dawson, Don Petlak and
many others. He
grew up in Calgary in the '50s and '60s, married Roxanne in '68. Grant Marshall
got him into the pharmaceutical products business. Here Bob thrived with IDA,
Guardian and as an independent for 41 years, 37 on the road; noteworthy were
Suntec Optics products. This year Bob changed careers to work with Jim Ross
Realty, spend more time with grandkids, and hone his already very sharp golf
game. Welcome, Bob!
Oct 21: Yet another happy gathering at
the MC, President Doug presiding.
Noteworthy issues included: (i) Jim Ross
reported plans for the Centennial Park are progressing well; (ii)
Bob Slocombe advised he represented Rotary at "Taskforce
Vandalism", Rotary is an integral part of the taskforce; (iii)
BJ stated we have an opportunity to cater to High River Homecoming next
July 1. Vote was positive, keep that date open; (iv)
Ferg Downey will lay a wreath for Rotary at the Remembrance Day Service
November 11; (v) Pickles read a letter from
the Taber Rotary club recommending Ken Mundy, who has recently moved to
HR as Town Manager. Ken is a charter member of the Taber club, chartered 2001; (vi)
Ralph Nelson was inducted into Rotary by President Doug; welcome,
Ralph.
Our speaker was Cst. Sue Olson of the RCMP detachment here in High River. Sue has eight years with the Force. She spoke of her deployment as a United Nations peacekeeper in East Timor, Indonesia. Two weeks of training did not prepare her for the turmoil encountered as pro Indonesian and pro independence forces clashed. There were few real successes; Sue did manage to train a cohesive multi national police unit. A very interesting description; thank you, Cst. Olson.
Oct 28: This meeting we were honoured by the attendance of District Governor Ken Copithorne, his wife Wendy and Assistant District Governor Richard Kim. Prior to the formal agenda : (i) Ted Dawson spoke on the Santa Claus Parade 3 Dec 04, (ii) President Doug advised Rotary Bonspiel is in Fort McLeod this year, (iii) A retirement banquet for Don Tannas will be held 27 Nov in the Foothills Centennial Hall in Okotoks, (iv) Neil Kelly of our Interact Club spoke on fundraising, including a car wash at Rainbow Esso 31 Oct.
Bob Slocombe introduced Richard Kim, citing his many accomplishments in and out of Rotary. Richard then introduced our speaker, District Governor Ken Copithorne. Ken has been active in South Calgary Rotary for many years, notably in fundraising and youth exchange. He was an initiator of the Reform Party, and an industry leader in agriculture, particularly in technology application. Ken provided a very interesting talk on Rotary activity locally and internationally. Locally he encouraged membership and service, with particular recognition of High River for excellence in both areas. Internationally Ken elaborated on the two areas of clean water and literacy, with details of various ongoing and planned projects. In closing he reminded us of the "Bell Auction" birthday party 9 Apr 05; the Regional Conference in Banff 19-22 May 05 and Rotary International in Chicago….the facility has plenty of room for 75000 attendees.
Ted Dawson requests parade marshal volunteers for the Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 03. He will have a list of nominations for club directors at next meeting.
Call Bart Brocklebank is you can volunteer for the Town of High River Skating Party on Dec. 13.
November 04: "We tend to think of ethics as something we all buy into," said guest speaker David Ray. "We think our mothers raised us properly, but it's not all black and white."
"The question of what is right is
different with each mind," he said. then Ray spoke of the famous McDonalds
hot coffee lawsuit in the USA. "Would it make a any difference to know that
McDonalds turned up the heat on the coffee so that they could use a less
expensive coffee?" he questioned.
Duncan Scott wondered, "How is it linked? Is McDonalds' coffee too hot or was McDonalds in error by serving cheaper coffee that needs to be served hotter than normal?"
At this interactive meeting Ray said it was goofy to think investigation will breach ethics. "But if employees know (of a company's code of ethics), it may cause them to think twice (about stealing or other conduct not acceptable in that company's code of ethics)".
David Ray's resume states: he spent ten years as Manager of Corporate Security for Shell Canada Limited. His duties with Shell included responsibility for the security program as well as corporate responsibilities for safety, sustainable development and contingency planning. He was also charged with management of the two head office facilities. Prior to his work with Shell he held the position of Director, Corporate Security with MacMillan Bloedel Limited in Vancouver. While with MacMillan Bloedel he also held the position of Corporate Solicitor. Prior to his work in the private sector he spent fourteen years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in various duties including six years with the Commercial Crime Section. His work with the police included extensive international investigations including work in the Far East. He is now the Senior Practice Leader Security and Investigations with Grant Thornton LLP.
He
instructs with the University of Calgary in the areas of Security
Administration, Security Law, Harassment Investigations and Workplace Violence.
He also instructs in Security Law with the University of Alberta and in
Harassment Investigations and Drug and Alcohol Policies with Grant MacEwan
College. He is the author of two texts on Private Security
Administration and Security Law and authored four chapters for the Protection of
Assets Manual. He is a past
President and a Life Member of the Canadian Society for Industrial Security and
is a member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.
David is a Certified Fraud Examiner and he is also a former member of the
Law Society of British Columbia.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts from York University in Toronto and a Bachelor of Law from Osgoode Hall Law School.
A reminder:
April 09, 2005 - 100th Celebration in Calgary. 1500 tickets available - Pres. Doug requests that anybody willing to host a Rotarian during this event please contact him.
May 20, 2005 is the District Conference held at Banff.
June 18, 2005 - R.I. Convention in Chicago. If you plan to attend you can still book rooms at a reduced rate. See your Rotarian copy for additional details.
If you are leaving for warmer climes, your dues should be paid before you leave. All dues are do January 01, 2005. The cost is $240.00.
Please volunteer: your help is needed:
Mr. Christmas himself,
Ted Dawson needs 8 volunteers to marshal at the annual Christmas Parade on Dec.
03.Meet at 5 p.m. at the Canton Restaurant. You will be needed until about 7
p.m. to direct at the end of the parade. Please contact Ted. 652-3786
Bart Brockelbank needs volunteers to serve hotdogs for the Town of High River's Skating Party. It will be held Dec. 13 from 4 to 8 p.m. Please contact Bart. 652-7656
Vince Molloy is the club's rep on the Highwood Memorial Board. The board is seeking funds from the provincial Legacy Fund for upgrades to the sprinkler system, exterior updating and a sprinkler system. The Board approved hiring a project manager and invites all user groups to a meeting Nov. 30 7 p.m. at the Memorial Centre to discuss and debate how the funds will be best spent. Vince encourages all of you to participate. Please contact Vince. 652-4767
November 14:
Sergeants-At-Arms:
Pickles was fined for leaving her
ill cat at home unattended and for not being a member of the SPCA.
However Ron Roland got off easily because he is willing to share his coat
with his relative at the coat check.
Wally Gardiner and Ted Dawson fined for wearing their Rotary pin
in the center of their poppies.
Ross Burton will give away free firewood to anybody who asks. Heck, he
will even throw in his pickup truck for transporting the wood. Call Ross
at 256-9737, if you are interested.
Speaker's Corner:
"Every Remembrance Day, I recall my father was in Holland at the end of
the WWII, picking up bodies," Bob
Slocombe said. Terry Arnett's son
is presently in Afghanistan. "There are a lot of people standing guard
every day, for example the police forces. Don't forget them!" he said, as
he introduced Retired Warrant Officer, Steve Critchley of the Lord Strathconas
Horse Royal Canadians.
"There were 220 requests for speakers to talk about the armed
services," said Critchley. "This is more requests than in the past.
People are really interested."
Critchley told of a rich Scotsman, Donald Smith (the same fellow who drove the
last spike) developing a concept for a Calvary Regiment in 1899 to help the
Brits with the Boer War. "Get cowboys on horses," Smith declared.
All toll about 500 cowboys turned up. Many were from the USA. About one
half of the Canadians later joined the NWMP and the other half were wanted by
the NWMP, he said.
The Calvary Regiment went to South Africa and were successful. Queen Victoria's
son presented the colours to the Lord Strathconas, but the colours were not
allowed to be flown as the Lord Strathconas' were not British, he said. The Lord
Strathconas served in Korea, Egypt at the Suez Canal, WWII as infantry and as
peacekeepers in Cypress.
"It was 1979 in Cypress where we walked a line between forces,"
Critchley said. "It was an eye opening experience."
"The first time I was shot at was in Bosnia," Critchley said. "It
was rather comical. A Serb said 'get down you fool'. A bullet sounds different
going out, then it does coming in."
Critchley said the Lord Strathconas became human shields when assigned to sit on
a school house roof to protect the children inside the building during somebody
else's war.
When faced the inevitability of attack, Critchley said he had code words sent to
his peacekeepers. "Have a coffee meant duck," he said. "but go
for milk meant more danger and they had to really duck hard."
We can be really proud of our armed forces, Critchley told the audience. With all the government cutbacks, training of the armed forces is hampered. Critchley mentioned that many personnel come home with medical problems and the Canadian government processing of military claims can take up to three years.
There are no Anniversaries or
Birthday notices in this bulletin due to time constraints on the editor.
He apologizes.
Bulletin Editor - Cliff Squires 601-2237-
squiresc@telusplanet.net
Web Design - Pat Korol - korolp@shaw.ca